WHO Urges Action on Monkeypox Vaccine

In response to the World Health Organisation's (WHO) recent declaration of Monkeypox (Mpox) as a "global health emergency," there is an urgent call for pharmaceutical companies to increase vaccine production. The virus has been spreading internationally, with Thailand reporting its first case this week, prompting heightened concerns from health officials. Humanitarian organization Doctors Without Borders has joined the call, urging manufacturers to not only boost production but also reduce the costs of Mpox treatments to facilitate wider access. Epidemiologists are advocating for these measures to effectively break transmission chains in affected regions. Confirmed Mpox cases have been reported globally, from Argentina to Sweden, raising alarms about the potential for further spread. Health authorities are particularly vigilant, urging individuals exhibiting symptoms to seek medical attention promptly. The situation is particularly dire in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), where the current outbreak has claimed at least 450 lives. Health experts emphasize the importance of timely vaccine distribution to prevent further infections and fatalities. Cristina Jauset, a health advocate, stressed that vaccines should not be hoarded by wealthier nations but rather shared with countries like the DRC, which lack production capabilities. Despite the global health emergency, the DRC has not received any vaccine doses in the past month, highlighting a critical gap in response efforts. To effectively combat Mpox in Africa, experts estimate that approximately 10 million vaccine doses are necessary, with 3 million needed urgently in the DRC. While the disease spreads through skin-to-skin contact, experts remain hopeful that it will not escalate into a pandemic similar to Covid-19, given the availability of existing vaccines and treatments.